Son Jimmy Rathmann said in an e-mail message to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials that his father died at a hospice facility in Melbourne, nine days after having a seizure at his home.

Rathmann, second in the Indy 500 in 1952, '57 and '59, was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. He also won the 500-mile Race of Two Worlds in 1958 in Monza, Italy.

From 1949 to 1963, Rathmann made 42 IndyCar starts, drove in three NASCAR races and started twice in the Race of Two Worlds, winning seven times.

Born Royal Richard Rathmann, he borrowed the name Jim from his older brother to race underage in the mid-1940s. The name stuck, and his brother later raced as Dick Rathmann.

Rathmann is survived by wife Kay, two sons, two stepsons, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Son Jimmy Rathmann said in an e-mail message to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials that his father died at a hospice facility in Melbourne, nine days after having a seizure at his home.

Rathmann, second in the Indy 500 in 1952, '57 and '59, was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. He also won the 500-mile Race of Two Worlds in 1958 in Monza, Italy.

From 1949 to 1963, Rathmann made 42 IndyCar starts, drove in three NASCAR races and started twice in the Race of Two Worlds, winning seven times.

Born Royal Richard Rathmann, he borrowed the name Jim from his older brother to race underage in the mid-1940s. The name stuck, and his brother later raced as Dick Rathmann.

Rathmann is survived by wife Kay, two sons, two stepsons, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Guest Book Highlights

"Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us."- Harry Simpson (Buckeye, AZ)

"R.I.P Mr Rathmann, You were loved by many people, Im Glad i had the pleasure of working for you at Melbourne Chevrolet and Palm Bay store for alot of years. You will be Missed!!!"- Scott Brenner (York, PA)

"Sweet pea sleep well and deep love ya Marty from Riley's. You were one of the best. I will miss you."- marty pyke (sebastian)

"What a prankster Jim was. We hunted together in the late 90's and were cleaning deer when I cut myself. Claiming to be a butcher in his early days his cure was for me to soak my hand in bleach. I can still hear him laughing from my reaction of pain...."- Chris Stinecipher (Fort Mill, SC)

"To the Jim Rathmann Family - I was happy to have done business with Jim Rathmann. Jim always had an interesting story about racing or the Space Coast. He had a great outlook on life and with business. God bless Jim and your entire family during..."- John Knopf (Jupiter, FL)

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Published in FLORIDA TODAY from November 27 to November 28, 2011

Jim (JR) Rathmann, 83, of Indian Harbour Beach, died peacefully Wednesday, November 23, 2011 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Kay Venn Rathmann of Indian Harbour Beach,...
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